However, the whip-cord, thus set free, was used by Peterkin as a fishing line.

He merely tied a piece of oyster to the end of it.

This the fish were allowed to swallow, and then they were pulled quickly ashore.

But as the line was very short and we had no boat, the fish we caught were exceedingly small.
One day Peterkin came up from the beach, where he had been angling, and said in a very cross tone, "I'll tell you what, Jack, I'm not going to be humbugged with catching such contemptible things any longer.

I want you to swim out with me on your back, and let me fish in deep water!" "Dear me, Peterkin," replied Jack, "I had no idea you were taking the thing so much to heart, else I would have got you out of that difficulty long ago.